Solid propellant-carrying caboted projectile

Abstract

A saboted projectile having an elongated sub-projectile having a double-r sabot mounted thereon. The sabot includes a main body portion having a radially extending forward scoop and a central bulkhead between which a toroidal-shaped cavity is formed. A self-sealing container extending between the scoop and the bulkhead encloses the cavity in which a solid propellant is contained. A through-hole, formed in the bulkhead, extends from the cavity to the rear surface of the bulkhead. The through-hole has an opening at the rear of the bulkhead for housing a blow-out plug. An igniter is mounted in the plug for igniting the solid propellant contained in the cavity after a predetermined delay. Ignition may also be achieved via pores or openings in the container which may contain a deterred propellant.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A saboted projectile comprising: a sub-projectile having a body with a fore section, an aft section, an intermediate section, and a longitudinal axis extending along said body between said fore and aft sections;   a three-petal sabot having a body mounted on said intermediate section and extending transversely of said longitudinal axis to form solid fore and aft transverse walls and defining a cavity therebetween;   a solid propellant contained in said cavity;   three through-holes formed in said solid aft wall extending from said cavity in a direction toward said aft section;   a self-sealing container extending between said solid fore and aft transverse walls to completely enclose said cavity, said container including an obturator means mounted adjacent said solid fore transverse wall for sealing said cavity to prevent combustion gases from escaping from said cavity toward said fore section;   three unsealable plugs for sealing said through-holes and an ignition delay element mounted in each of said plugs whereby said solid propellant contained in said cavity is ignited at a predetermined time after said projectile is fired thereby unsealing said three unsealable plugs when the pressure in said cavity is greater than the pressure adjacent said aft section by a predetermined amount and permitting gasses to escape through said three through-holes.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said ignition delay element delays combustion of said propellant to a point beyond peak pressure of the interior ballistic cycle. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 wherein said cavity is toroidal-shaped and is symmetrically disposed about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 wherein said solid propellant weighs three to six pounds. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 4 wherein said three to six pounds of solid propellant is a deterred propellant. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 1 wherein said ignition delay element is actuated by the acceleration of said projectile. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1 wherein said ignition delay element is actuated by the pressure generated by the main propelling charge of said projectile.